SOUTHSIDE – True to form, the annual kickoff classic game was filled with typical fumbles, interceptions, penalties and a lot of sloppy play; but in between all that it was also filled with lots of excitement too.
Lee rallied from a 17-7 second quarter deficit to knock off host Bolles 28-23 in three quarters of varsity play at Skinner Barco Stadium.
Theodore Ingram started the game off with a bang returning the opening kickoff 92 yards down the left sideline to give Lee an early 7-0 lead seconds into the game.
Bolles methodically answered with a 14 play, 64 yard drive capped by a Josiah Johnson 1 yard sneak tying the game at 7-7 with 4:23 left in the first.
Lee’s opening drive started off on the right foot as the ensuing kickoff dribbled off Ingram at the 2-yard line putting them in terrible field position.
Six plays later, quarterback Derrick Jones lost his grip on the ball and fumbled it away and Bolles defensive back CJ Grimes was there to scoop it up and return it 10 yards for a score giving the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead with three minutes left in the first.
Jones connected with Tahveon Nicholson for an apparent 62 yard touchdown completion on the Generals ensuing drive but it was called back for illegal man downfield.
Santi Leon Villegas added a 27 yard field goal to increase Bolles lead to 17-7 with 9:13 left in the first half as Bolles started to pull away.
However, Jones drove the Generals down the field with ease finding Jurial Caldwell, Ingram and Nicholson open throughout the drive to put them inside the red zone.
Jones found freshman Kevonte Doles wide open across the middle in the end zone to cut the lead to 17-14 with under five minutes to play till halftime.
Johnson responded by guiding his team down the field hitting Chris Sanders on a 31 yard completion to put the Bulldogs inside the ten. Sanders fought off Eugene Bowman who dropped the interception and caught the deflection off the near interception and hauled in the pass for a huge first down. Using all three timeouts, Bolles looked in prime position to score right before half.
On third and three, Johnson threw a fade pass to Sanders, who had safety Vincent Davis beat as Davis has his body turned the other way, it seemed like an easy touchdown for Sanders. However, Davis made an unbelievable over the shoulder catch in the end zone to pick off the pass and end the threat.
With under a minute remaining in the first half, Jones found Doles for a 19 yard completion, Caldwell for 11 and Nicholson for 19 as the first half ended at the 30-yard line.
Once ahead 17-7, Bolles now only lead 17-14 as the momentum began to shift towards Lee and followed in the second half.
After forcing Bolles to a rare punt, Lee took over at its own 26-yard line and quickly went to work. Jones connected with Ingram on a short gain and then scrambled 22 yards to pick up the first down and move them near midfield.
Four plays later faced with fourth and 11 from the 50, Jones scrambled to his right and then found Ingram all alone around the 20 as Ingram walked in the end zone putting Lee back in front 20-17 with under six minutes left in the third quarter.
After reaching midfield, Bolles appeared on its way to getting back in the game, but Lee turned up the defense as Terrance James sacked Johnson and forced a fumble recovered by a Bolles lineman.
Faced with fourth and a mile thanks to a holding penalty and the sack, Bolles lined up for a punt and a bad snap sailed high over the punters head and into the end zone, where Kalvin Dorce recovered it for a Lee touchdown increasing the lead to 28-17 with under three minutes left in the third.
The Generals defense forced a quick three and out on the Bolles offense and Lee looked to slam the door on the game as Jones went deep on the first ensuing play and was picked off by Bryson Kirksey across the middle.
Bolles took advantage of the turnover by capitalizing on it as Johnson connected with Jayden Mcloud on a 30-yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 28-23 with seven seconds left.
Bolles lined up for onside kick and Lee recovered it near midfield, setting off a celebration on the Lee sideline as Lee has now beat Bolles back-to-back years in the kickoff classic.
Jones finished the game 14 of 23 for 189 yards, with 2 touchdowns and one interception; while Johnson completed 10 of 17 for 151 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.
Fortunately for both team the game didn’t count and both teams now have plenty of things to work on and polish up before the regular season starts next week.
As Lee host Raines next Friday in the opener, while Bolles is off after their game was cancelled with Westlake Prep and opens its season Sept. 1 at home against Deltona.
